Citizens Participate in Military Exercise

Members of the Fairfax County Citizen Corps Council and Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) participated in an emergency response exercise at Fort Belvoir.

"The installation tested its response to a terrorist incident involving chemical biological nuclear and high- yield explosives."

The Citizen Corps Council was featured on the front page of the Belvoir Eagle.

Fairfax County Citizen Corps Receives Ready Campaign Thank You

Dear Coalition Members,

The Department of Homeland Security’s Ready Campaign would like to thank you for your support and efforts during National Preparedness Month 2007. The impact on the American public is evident by the record number of 1,800 organizations and the more than 1,000 events and activities that took place educating citizens on emergency preparedness in their communities and businesses. To learn more about some of the events that took place across the nation, please visit the NPM Journal.

The Ready Campaign values our relationship with your organization and we hope you will continue your efforts year round. Throughout the coming year, the Ready Campaign will be sharing with you upcoming events and activities. In the coming weeks, Ready will launch a new feature on our Web site called “Share Your Story.” This will allow us to capture Americans stories on personal preparedness. We look forward to sharing this with you.

We wish you great success in the coming year and look forward to working with you again in September 2008!

Sincerely,

The Ready Campaign

Thunderstorm Safety Tips

Fairfax County might not see a lot of snow, but thunderstorms are prevalent.

Some tips can help you stay safe during the next thunderstorm. Use the 30/30 lightning safety rule.

If you see lightning and you cannot count to 30 before hearing thunder, go indoors and stay indoors for 30 minutes after hearing the last clap of thunder. Avoid showering or bathing during a thunderstorm; plumbing and bathroom fixtures can conduct electricity. If shelter is not available, go to the lowest area nearby and make yourself the smallest target possible, but do not lie flat on the ground.

Listen to (NOAA) Weather Radio for information: a thunderstorm watch means there is a possibility of a thunderstorm in your area; a thunderstorm warning means a thunderstorm is occurring or will likely occur soon.

If you are advised to take shelter, do so immediately. For more information, visit Fairfax County Emergency Information.

Fairfax County and CDC to Conduct Preparedness Exercise

Fairfax County Citizen Corps Council Attends National First Responders Conference

Members of the Fairfax County Volunteers in Police Service/APO, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) attended the National First Responders Conference.

A major focus of several sessions was on "Recognizing and Responding to Terrorism".

Information about the conference can be found on the conference website.

There was no cost to attend this conference.

How to Prepare for Pets

Emergency preparedness is not just for humans.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) recommends the following: get a rescue alert sticker to let people know that pets are inside your home; arrange a safe haven by contacting veterinarians, local boarding facilities, hotels/motels and friends. Create an emergency supply kit containing food, water, litter, disinfectant, bowls, leash and harness, photocopies of medical records, carrier, toys, flashlight, blanket and recent photos of your pets; if you are evacuating, take your pet. Make sure s/he is wearing a collar with up to date identification and consider microchipping your pet.

For more information, visit the ASPCA Disaster Preparedness Web page.

Fall for Fairfax

Members of Fairfax County CERT and MRC participated in Fall for Fairfax.

MRC had an excellent location with a lot of traffic inside the Government Center. CERT had a tent outside next to the Fairfax County Office of Emergency Management.

The CERT team took their public awareness to the next level, by providing live demonstrations.